M26 vs Collimite 915

[gclark26]

I am in the process of polishing a black 2001 Corvette. When finished I will protect with 2 layers of Meguiars NXT 2.0. My dilemma is should I use M26 or Collinite 915 on top of NXT? I read that M26 looks very good on black. But something is drawing me to Collinite. This is a show car and looking for the WOW factor. Also not wanting to buy yet another wax. I have these on hand
Meguiars M26
Collinite 915
Collinite 476 which I believe is similar to NXT
DP Max wax
Mothers
Secondly should I mix brands? ie Collinite on top of Meguiars NXT

[davey g-force]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

It's entirely personal preference, but I think M26 will look better. May not last as long as 915 though...

[The Guz]

You should be fine with 1 coat of NXT topped with a carnauba. My recommendations would be M26, Mothers or Max Wax. M26 has been known to have the top DOI ( distinction of image).

[Joe Dragon]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

I would not mix brands.

[Jarhead0754]

I agree, go with the M26.

[ffboy]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

I myself have used different brands together with meguiar's waxes. In my experience, no harm was done, I've used 476s on top of NXT 2.0 on black paint, looked great, I've also used reflections top coat on NXT 2.0 on the same paint.

However, I believe each brand or product line has a particular look, so in keeping with that, I would recommend M26. I've seen how great M26 looks and it isn't slouch. In looks, it can easily go head to head with collinites, mothers waxes, etc...

[BillyJack]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

Once a year, I compete in a judged charity benefit show sponsored by my employer. My Camino is a tired old car with original lacquer paint, so it's a completely different animal than your 'Vette. I've tried a number of different combinations involving DP, Wolfgang, NXT, Dodo Juice etc., but the most effective combo to my eyes was a base of Colli 915, both for it's looks and longevity, followed by an app of M26 on the night before the show.

Bill

[gclark26]

Billy
Nice paint BTW.
Thats an intetesting combo you use. The reflectivity / clarity is dependent on the previous LSP layers and prep work. Now if 476 or 915 had a bad reaction to NXT or M26 the shine / clarity may not be so good. But in your case you prove all the above play well together. Based on the order of your LSP, M26 is the one chosen to bring out the shine not 915.

[BillyJack]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

Thanks.
At one point, my paint was starting to fade to pink, but multiple force-fed apps of M07, allowed to soak in overnight, followed by machine polishing with M80 brought it back to the true burgundy. Thanks to Mike Phillips, formerly with Meguiar's, it's now back to being acceptable.
My favorite show prep combo is M07 on the night before the show, but it's so hard to get it streak-free without a lot of rubbing. M26 is a close second and it's so easy to apply and remove, so that's what I've been using. Before I knew of 915, I was using NXT as a base, topped with M07 or M26. That worked well too, but I just prefer the "glow" of 915. M26 just adds a bit of pop to anything.

Bill

[jfelbab]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

If this is a show car, it likely sees little if any weather. I'd skip the NXT altogether and just use M26. IMO, if you are looking for the best appearance, M26 wins hands down. M26 has a way of reflecting and refracting (bending light) to deliver the utmost clarity and absolutely glows on dark colors.

I had to search a bit but I found this piece.

Originally Posted by Mike Phillips.

...M26 is the only wax that will increase the D.O.I. of a previously polished surface.
I asked a chemist friend about this and he said it was because M26 has/had the ability to bend light.
Maybe one of our engineering type people can explain how that would work...

D.O.I. = Distinction of Image


The ability of a surface to reflect an image clearly. A mirror offers 100% D.O.I.

My tastes keeps me reaching for M26 for my 22 year old garage queen.

[drumdan]

I hear great things about Collinite's durability. However, it sounds like you may not need such durability.

I only have a couple carnauba based waxes that I really like using as a topper, and m26 is one of them. I've topped two cars with Gold Class Carnauba Paste over NXT 2.0 so far this summer though. That one is an excellent combination.

I ran across some pics from Michael Stoops, where he did a project, and finished with the Gold Class Carnauba Paste Wax, and it was absolutely stunning.

[gclark26]

I have decided to apply 915 first and M26 on top. I hear very good reviews on both. Both have a warm glow and look best on dark colors. 915 may last longer which is why it went on first. I cant complain about the results.
FYI if you try 915 only apply one panel at a time as it is a buger to remove if it dries too long. I am using a spritz of cold water on the paint and then applying wax. It seems to thin down the wax so there is no build up.

[jfelbab]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

My $ 0.02 regarding layering of wax.


I'd speculate that in all likelihood the solvents in M26 will remove all or most of the 915. Paint can only hold so much wax. As you mentioned this is a show car, why would you want to layer waxes, if it were possible, in the first place? Assuming you've polished the paint to perfection, does it makes any sense to layer waxes that are not 100% optically clear, as each layer would interfere with the appearance of the paint?


Since you have them, melt small pieces of these waxes, let them drip on a piece of window glass and let them dry. Observe that they are not clear. Since they are not 100% optically clear, how could building up layers of these waxes improve the appearance of the paint?


I can understand topping a sealant with a carnauba for various protection and durability reasons but not for a show car where the paint appearance is critical.

[gclark26]

Does anyone know how these two compare in durability? 915 is said to last the longest but what is the life span of M26?
For sake of argument lets just say this is for a DD sitting in a parking lot all day and garaged at night. Washed once a week.

[jfelbab]

Re: M26 vs Collimite 915

IMO, it is nearly impossible to say how long a wax or sealant will last. There are just too many things that can affect durability and longevity. For a show car that is garaged most of the time any LSP can last for months. For a daily driver that is outdoors 24/7, the protection may only last a few weeks. Also contributing to the length of protection is the external environment; rain (particularly acid rain) power plants, contaminants like sap, heat and sun exposure, salt and dust/dirt, bird and insects, washing detergents, frequency of washing/drying, materials and techniques used, the list is almost endless.

That said, I believe sealants, as a class, have proven to last a bit longer and protect a bit better than carnauba products in most situations. Yet for a show car, the appearance can often be better with a carnauba.

Now this is where D156/UQW really play an important role. D156/UQW is so fast and offers a replenished slickness and gloss to any base in a matter of a few minutes. Freshly waxed or sealed paint will shed dirt much more readily than one that has a month old application and been washed a few times. Stuff that can attach to the paint and form bonded contamination is less able to get that grip to the paint if it is really slick and D156/UQW leaves the paint really slick. Regularly refreshing the LSP like this can extend the base lsp for months.